5 arrested for burglary of Lakeland Starbucks during aftermath of Irma

Tuesday

Sep 12, 2017 at 12:58 PMSep 13, 2017 at 10:28 AM

Mike Ferguson @mikewferguson

LAKELAND — Five Orlando men were arrested Monday for burglarizing a Starbucks and trying to do likewise to a motel, the Lakeland Police Department said.

Kevin Owen Mervilus, 19; Nyree Lashi Tucker, 20; Joqavius Wright, 19; Kevin Grant Smith, 19; and Tomante Terrell Harris, 34, were all apprehended after 5:10 p.m. on burglary-related charges, according to police. The LPD said the aftermath of Hurricane Irma was a factor in the men’s decision to target Lakeland.

Two of the men were seen pulling on door handles at the Rodeway Inn, 4645 N. Socrum Loop Road. The other three men were seen by police in the Starbucks parking lot at 4670 N. Socrum Loop Road and began running on foot once approached by the officers. Inside the coffee shop, police found four cash registers on the floor.

Mervilus was immediately arrested after being apprehended in the roadway by officers, who found about $182 in his pocket, the LPD said. From there, police set up a perimeter and were able to catch Tucker and Wright in a wooded area east of 140 Fernery Road.

Tucker, who also had about $182 on him, initially resisted arrest, according to the LPD, but was apprehended by a K-9 named Nox and then transported to Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center to be treated for injuries. There, he acknowledged his involvement and told police that the men had specifically come to Lakeland "to hit a lick.”

Wright was arrested by another officer in the same area, police said. Near him, a large amount of cash and coins were found in a detachable hood that went to a jacket, along with a stirrer from Starbucks.

During interviews with suspects and witnesses, it was determined that Smith and Harris were also involved with the burglary, LPD spokesman Sgt. Gary Gross said. Found inside a 2004 Ford Expedition in the Roadway Inn parking lot were articles of clothing belonging to the five men.

Mervilus, Tucker, Wright and Smith were all charged with burglary. Tucker was also charged with resisting arrest without violence. Harris was charged with being a principle to burglary. All five were transported to the Polk County Jail.

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